Dustless Island was the fifth-ranked sect among the Nine Prefectures, and most people would have found his invitation hard to refuse.
"Sorry, not interested."
Xu Taiping shook his head and walked straight away.
The forming of factions had actually begun before they entered the Immortal Gourd Grotto-Heaven. Backed by their own sects, the young cultivators favored by the major sects of the Nine Prefectures had each recruited other cultivators entering the Immortal Gourd Grotto-Heaven, both to strengthen themselves and to reduce the obstacles ahead.
Had he not had something else to do, Xu Taiping would not have minded joining one of them. After all, it would have saved time and effort.
Murong Song's expression darkened at Xu Taiping's outright refusal.
"Brat, you're refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit, is that it?"
"Forget it. Everyone has their own aspirations."
Murong Song held out a hand, stopping the impulsive young men behind him.
"But when the time comes to leave this place, no one will save you if you run into trouble."
He continued, his tone carrying a hint of menace.
Those words were directed at Xu Taiping, but even more so at everyone present who was still waiting to see how things unfolded.
Rumble...!
Just then, muffled thunder suddenly rolled through the sky overhead.
Then the heavens and earth abruptly darkened, leaving the entire world without a trace of light.
Inside the ruined hall behind them, flames suddenly sprang to life in oil lamps that had long since dried up, illuminating the broken divine statues within and making them look utterly sinister and terrifying.
An uproar instantly broke out in front of Phoenix Perch Hall.
Some even opened Teleportation Scrolls on the spot, trying to flee the Immortal Gourd Grotto-Heaven, but even after opening three scrolls in succession, nothing